Electrostatic/Planar Speakers

[Ninanina]

Can I ask anyone 'in the know' whether a Croft amplifier of 45 - 50 watts will drive the Maggies?

[Sherwood]

Can I ask anyone 'in the know' whether a Croft amplifier of 45 - 50 watts will drive the Maggies?

I know I will sound like a broken record on this, but Maggies only come alive (IMHO) when driven by a high current amplifier. I am a big fan of Croft amps and had some myself in the past.

Maggies can sound fine when driven by valve amps at low to moderate levels, but struggle to cope on musical peaks or to produce a convincing bass performance. I would suggest that you try and borrow such an amp to reveal the true potential of this speaker.

I don't know what your budget is, but something like a Quad 909 would work.

Geoff

[Ninanina]

I know I will sound like a broken record on this, but Maggies only come alive (IMHO) when driven by a high current amplifier. I am a big fan of Croft amps and had some myself in the past.

Maggies can sound fine when driven by valve amps at low to moderate levels, but struggle to cope on musical peaks or to produce a convincing bass performance. I would suggest that you try and borrow such an amp to reveal the true potential of this speaker.

I don't know what your budget is, but something like a Quad 909 would work.

Geoff

Thanks Geoff
So the Croft won't work then ?

I'll maybe take a look at the Quad

[Sherwood]

Thanks Geoff
So the Croft won't work then ?

I'll maybe take a look at the Quad

By all means give it a try, it may just work, but my experience has been that most valve amps are not a great match. I mentioned the Quad as something that is easily sourced, but there are other options. What is your budget?

Geoff

[Ninanina]

By all means give it a try, it may just work, but my experience has been that most valve amps are not a great match. I mentioned the Quad as something that is easily sourced, but there are other options. What is your budget?

Geoff

Thanks for your post Geoff

I guess my budget would be £2 - £3k and I'd really prefer an integrated to be honest

What amp do you use with your Maggies ? you may have already told me but I've got a head like a sieve

[Sherwood]

Thanks for your post Geoff

I guess my budget would be £2 - £3k and I'd really prefer an integrated to be honest

What amp do you use with your Maggies ? you may have already told me but I've got a head like a sieve

I am currently using a pair of Nuprime STA-9s in monoblock mode. This allows me to use very short speaker cables as the amps are positioned underneath my Maggies and connected via long xlr cables. The Nuprimes deliver 290w per channel in monoblock mode and really get a grip on the Maggies. However, I originally drove them with an Odyssey Power amp that I commissioned from the USA manufacturer, This is a high power high current power amp widely regarded as being an excellent match for the Maggies. It is as good as the Nuprimes but less convenient in terms of my domestic arrangements.

I did consider the an integrated amp and was very impressed by the Anthem 225 model. It is now discontinued but may still be available. Parasound also produce some suitable amps though when I auditioned one I thought it just a little bright for my taste.

Geoff

[walpurgis]

I reckon the 909 could be good too. Maybe best used with the 99 pre-amp though. Both items seem well liked and have been well reviewed. I have heard the 909, but not long enough to give a proper opinion.

[Ninanina]

I reckon the 909 could be good too. Maybe best used with the 99 pre-amp though. Both items seem well liked and have been well reviewed. I have heard the 909, but not long enough to give a proper opinion.

Thanks 2nd Geoff

The 909 and 99 are certainly not the most expensive amps and fairly readily available on the used market. It's a long time since I've owned anything Quad; the last was a 33/303 with the ESL 57's and I really enjoyed that match

[Ninanina]

It's my birthday next week so I'm planning a little treat for myself, speaker wise of course